Ramah and JNF Sponsor Alternative Winter Break Service Trip to Israel, January 2-10, 2011

I knew we would be doing work but I didn't realize how much we could actually accomplish. We helped on a gardening project with Earth's Promise, an organization that works with economically disadvantaged immigrants in Beersheva. My group was in charge of making benches out of recycled tires, trash, rocks and mud. . . .  It was the most fun I've ever had gardening and it wasn't just because it was with friends, but because we could see the reactions of the new immigrants working alongside us. You could see the reaction on their faces and see that we really were making a difference there.

The National Ramah Commission partnered with the Jewish National Fund for a third annual Alternative Winter Break service trip to Israel. A group of 22 returning staff members from Ramah overnight camps and Ramah Day Camp in Nyack participated in this inspiring week of social action and community building.

The social action projects that framed each day included painting apartments in Mitzpe Ramon, assisting swim instructors in the therapeutic pool at Aleh Negev, beautifying a park in the Ein Kerem neighborhood of Jerusalem, and spending time with soldiers on the Ramon Army Base. Participants brought true dedication and Ramah spirit to each of these projects. At the conclusion of each day they prepared multi-media presentations to share with their campers and discussed how to translate their unique experiences into camp programs for the coming summer. The participants will come to camp equipped with program ideas from JNF that emphasize the JNF mission of fulfilling Ben Gurion’s dream of making the desert bloom.

Ramah is thrilled to have once again partnered with the Jewish National Fund, true visionaries in the building of Eretz Yisrael. Kol HaKavod to all who participated in this wonderful program.

 It was the most fun I've ever had gardening and it wasn't just because it was with friends, but because we could see the reactions of the new immigrants working alongside us. You could see the reaction on their faces and see that we really were making a difference there.

-Ramah-JNF Alternative Winter Break Service Trip Participant